I have been an aquarium hobbyist/professional for over 35 years. As an integral part of this, I have regularly written on various aquarial topics over the past 25 years and have almost 300 published articles to my credit. Among these writings are included almost 12 years of a monthly book review column (Aquarist's Library) in Aquarium Fish Magazine, and almost six years of a monthly catfish based column (Catfish Corner) in Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine.

I have enjoyed the pleasures of many different fishes over the years. My early experiences were mainly with cichlids. From there I moved on to catfishes and this fascinating group has kept me interested and challenged for the past 25 or so years.

I have been involved in many other aspects of the aquarium hobby/industry. In the past I was owner/operator of an independent pet store. I currently, and have for the last five years, run a predominately mail order book business (Finley Aquatic Books) dealing in both new and used literature encompassing all aspects of the aquarium hobby and aquatic natural history.

Much of my recent and most current writing projects concern the early history of the aquarium. I am now involved in a number of short and long term writing projects (of both periodical and book orientation) covering aspects of both home and public aquaria in the 19th century. Research and writing in this area is now, and for the foreseeable future, a major area of work.